Fall Lax Quotes: Senior Ashley Bolton

09/20/07 3:00PM

Williamsburg - As Tribe lacrosse opens fall practice this week, members of the team and head coach Christine Halfpenny will once again provide insight and updates on the team's progress through the fall. This week, senior defender and team co-captain Ashley Bolton is featured. Check TribeAthletics.com throughout the fall as more interviews are added. The Tribe's first fall exhibition game is scheduled for next Thursday, Sept. 27 at Virginia.

Lax Fall Quotes Part 1: Senior Ashley Bolton

How was your summer?:

It was good. I studied abroad for six weeks in Sicily. Jaime Sellers was in Prague at the same time, so we actually had a chance to meet up as well. Meg Rafferty was with me in Sicily, so it was a lot of fun. I was excited to have that opportunity.

Looking back to the 2007 season, obviously the overall record and finish were disappointing, though there were still some big highlights. Do you think last season’s finish has been a big motivating factor heading into fall practice?:

I think last year, we had a few unfortunate, long-term injuries that really set us back. We kept fighting, and we can kept pushing through, and I really think that showed in the win over JMU near the end of the season. We all came together, and we knew we had nothing to lose. We left it all out on the field, and I think everyone remembers that feeling. I think that will take us into this year, because now everyone knows what we want to accomplish. We want to go further and accomplish more, and I think everyone is motivated to get better right now at the start of fall and get things going.

You, along with senior Jaime Sellers and junior Kate Lawlor, were named team captains for the 2008 season. How much does that mean to you, and what would you say your strengths are as a leader?:

I was very excited when I learned that I was voted a captain. I think myself, along with Jaime Sellers and Kate Lawlor will all help each other and compliment each other well. To me, it’s a great honor. I think one of my strengths is being able to understand my teammates and communicating with them. On the field, defensively, we lost [captain] Lizzy Bayly [to graduation] and a lot of senior leadership from last year’s team, so it’s going to be a big step for me to take on a leadership role. Having Lawlor back on defense helps a lot too. We need to have a good intensity level in every practice and every game, and I think those things will help our defense be strong.

Monday was the first official day of fall practice. How did it go and how did it feel to be back out on the field with the team?:

The first day of practice went well. I think we all kind of got a feel for what was going on out there and what we have. It went well. The freshman class was impressive, and I don’t think anyone really looked hesitant out there. It was a solid first day of practice. I hope it will carry out that way through the fall.

Has the team had a chance to set its goals for the season?:

We haven’t officially lined out our season goals yet, but I know what is on everyone’s mind: having a great season, getting to the CAA Championship, winning the CAA Championship and getting an NCAA berth.

With you, Lawlor, sophomore goalkeeper Sara Beckstead and freshman goalkeeper Emily Geary, the defense should certainly be one of the team’s strong points in 2008.:

I think having two good goalies and that competition is going to be good for us. Knowing if anything happens or goes wrong, we’ll have somebody else who can step right in. [Senior] Caitlin deMello is showing she is back to full strength with her aggressiveness, and she is ready to go. [Junior] Lauren Coll is back [after a medical redshirt season in 2007], and that is going to help us a lot. She is starting to get back on the field and work back. We have a lot of good pieces, including some talented freshman, and I think the defense will come together throughout the year, and be a strong part of our team.